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This version of NSU News has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of NSU News, visit news.nova.edu.
This version of SharkBytes has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of SharkBytes, visit sharkbytes.nova.edu.
Three Student-Athletes Participate in SAAC ELITE Weekend
Nova Southeastern University student-athletes represented at the Sunshine State Conference SAAC ELITE.
Three Nova Southeastern University student-athletes represented the athletic department at the Sunshine State Conference SAAC ELITE Weekend.
The retreat, held at the conference office in Melbourne, Fla., served as a way to bring together all nine conference institutions, as well as incoming schools in Palm Beach Atlantic and Embry-Riddle, together to share ideas and assess leadership styles. SSC SAAC President Roberto Baroniel (Sr., Miami, Fla.) was joined by NSU SAAC President Samantha Gestido (Jr., Miami, Fla.) and baseball freshman Kyle Kilbourne (Brooksville, Fla.).
The weekend started with a DiSC assessment. All student-athletes in attendance took a brief survey that evaluated their leadership style. From there, the student-athletes were introduced to varying work styles and how to “flex” with people who think and work differently.
On Saturday, Jan. 24, the student-athletes went out to dinner and had a bowling night. On Sunday, Baroniel led a discussion of best practices among varying institutions pertaining to SAAC participation and fundraising for Make-A-Wish. Several administrators were also in attendance to share their thoughts and experience. The weekend ended with a round table discussion with SSC commissioner Ed Pasque. The commissioner was candid and transparent, taking questions from each individual student-athlete on the current state and future of the SSC.
The NSU representatives reflected on the weekend:
Roberto Baroniel
“It’s great to be in a position of leadership at the conference level. I think we had a great discussion about the challenges that our campus SAAC’s face and what are some key ways to overcome them. I was also very please as to how the group participated in sharing best practices for their committees when it comes to Make-A-Wish, community service and community engagement initiatives. I feel as if this meeting will play a huge role in helping the current institutions who struggle to get their SAAC’s involved.”
Sam Gestido
“My experience at ELITE weekend helped me grow, not only as an overall leader, but as a member of my SAAC as well. It was nice to hear that our school was not the only one facing some issues. It was also a great experience for brainstorming ideas for Make-A-Wish. Since the last session of the day, I have one million ideas running through my head constantly. I am very happy I got to go to this conference and learn so many new ideas and tips in order to reach our “why.”
Kyle Kilbourne
“I think this weekend was very productive in gaining new ideas for engaging with the community around each university in the conference and raising money for Make-A-Wish. Getting to meet and talk to so many different people with different perspectives helped me in learning what exactly SAAC is all about.”